Google Opens Early Access to 'Willow' Quantum Processor, Invites Experimental Proposals

Google announced it is opening limited early access to its Willow quantum processor. The Willow Early Access Program invites researchers to propose experiments that test the limits of current quantum hardware. The program provides selected applicants with exclusive use of the processor while it remains unavailable to the public. Applicants must submit detailed experimental proposals by May 15, 2026. Selections will be announced by July 1, 2026. Proposals must detail quantum circuits tailored to the device and identify measurable outcomes known as observables that could support scientific publications. Teams are required to dedicate at least one researcher, such as a Ph.D. student or postdoctoral fellow, to carry out the experiment. Submissions follow a structured process with a standardized form for institutional eligibility, and proposals must be anonymized. Selection prioritizes feasibility on current hardware, including noise considerations, and the potential for meaningful scientific results or new experimental techniques. The program encourages experiments that extend beyond incremental simulations and classical capabilities. It reflects a trend in quantum computing toward controlled early-stage access to advanced systems.